Early Release of SNAP benefits impacting Delawareans

DELAWARE – “Because of the situation that was taking place, policymakers had to make decisions about how to best look out.”

In the wake of the government shutdown, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services tells 47 ABC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were released earlier than expected.

Takeya Perez with DHSS said, “We did not know if we would have funding available to cover February benefits.”

In order to ensure those in need would have ample food supply, we learned “SNAP benefits did go out in Mid-January to ensure that benefits could actually go out and that folks would receive that February payment,” said Food Bank of Delaware Spokesman Chad Robinson.

Because of that Mid-January release, the department says many of the 136,000 Delaware families may see a significant gap in food assistance.

We pressed the department to explain why releasing these benefits was a good idea in the first place.

This is what they told us: “We had this dire situation and the option was issue early to make sure they at least get their benefits on their card and they have their food dollars available or risk not meeting the deadline for them to have their benefits. The second option was not really an option.”

Moving forward, to help those impacted by the early-release DHSS says they’re making efforts to make sure beneficiaries are covered up until March.

They’re teaming up with the Food Bank of Delaware and giving out various food items.

Perez said, “We’re preparing also to do additional messaging about budgeting and stretching food dollars and also letting our clients know there are resources available.”